Carbon Steel Elbow
Carbon Steel Elbow
Carbon steel elbows are essential components in piping systems, widely used across industries for their durability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This article provides an in-depth exploration of carbon steel elbows, including their types, applications, manufacturing processes, and advantages. Whether you’re in construction, oil and gas, petrochemical, or another industry, understanding these components is crucial for optimizing system performance.
What is a Carbon Steel Elbow?
A carbon steel elbow is a pipe fitting used to change the direction of flow in a piping system. Typically made from carbon steel, these elbows are designed to handle high-pressure and high-temperature applications. They are categorized by their:
Angle of Bend: Commonly 45°, 90°, or 180°.
Radius: Short-radius (SR) and long-radius (LR) configurations.
End Connections: Threaded, socket weld, or butt weld.
Types of Carbon Steel Elbows
1. 45° Carbon Steel Elbow
- Description: Redirects fluid flow by 45 degrees.
- Applications: Used in situations where minor direction changes are needed, such as in irrigation systems or HVAC piping.
2. 90° Carbon Steel Elbow
- Description: Turns fluid flow by 90 degrees.
- Applications: Ideal for sharp directional changes in pipelines, commonly seen in industrial and residential systems.
3. 180° Carbon Steel Elbow
- Description: Reverses fluid flow direction by 180 degrees.
- Applications: Used in U-shaped piping systems, especially in heat exchangers and condensers.
4. Short Radius (SR) Elbow
- Description: Features a radius equal to the pipe’s diameter.
- Applications: Suitable for tight spaces where compact design is necessary.
5. Long Radius (LR) Elbow
- Description: Radius is 1.5 times the pipe’s diameter.
- Applications: Reduces pressure loss and minimizes turbulence, making it ideal for smoother flow systems.
6. Reducing Elbow
- Description: Connects two pipes of different diameters while changing the direction of flow.
- Applications: Found in systems requiring a size transition, such as in oil refineries.
Carbon Steel Elbow
| Property | Specification |
| Material Grade | ASTM A234 WPB, ASTM A234 WPC, ASTM A420 WPL6, ASTM A420 WPL3, ASTM A234 WP11, ASTM A234 WP22 |
| Standard | ASME B16.9, ASME B16.28 |
| Type | 90° Elbow, 45° Elbow, 180° Elbow, Long Radius Elbow, Short Radius Elbow |
| Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) | 1/2″ to 48″ (DN 15 to DN 1200) |
| Pressure Rating | 150#, 300#, 600#, 900#, 1500#, 2500# |
| Wall Thickness | Schedule 40, Schedule 80, Schedule 160, Schedule XXS |
| Bending Radius | 1.5D, 2D, 3D |
| End Connection | Butt Weld, Socket Weld, Threaded |
| Testing | Hydrostatic Test, Visual Inspection, Radiographic Testing, Ultrasonic Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing |
| Applications | Oil and Gas, Chemical Processing, Power Generation, Petrochemical, Construction, Marine, HVAC, Water Treatment |
| Finish | Plain, Galvanized, Coated, Painted |
| Material Properties | Tensile Strength: 485 MPa (70 ksi), Yield Strength: 205 MPa (30 ksi), Elongation: 30% (min) |
Carbon Steel Elbow Dimensions
45-Degree Elbow Dimensions Chart (in lbs)
| NPS | O.D. D | 90 deg LR Center-to-End A | 45 deg Long Radius Center-to-End B | 90 deg 3D Center-to-End A | 45 deg 3D Center-to-End B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 | 21.3 | 38 | 16 | – | – |
| 3/4 | 26.7 | 38 | 19 | 57 | 24 |
| 1 | 33.4 | 38 | 22 | 76 | 31 |
| 1¼ | 42.2 | 48 | 25 | 95 | 39 |
| 1½ | 48.3 | 57 | 29 | 114 | 47 |
| 2 | 60.3 | 76 | 35 | 152 | 63 |
| 2½ | 73 | 95 | 44 | 190 | 79 |
| 3 | 88.9 | 114 | 51 | 229 | 95 |
| 3½ | 101.6 | 133 | 57 | 267 | 111 |
| 4 | 114.3 | 152 | 64 | 305 | 127 |
| 5 | 141.3 | 190 | 79 | 381 | 157 |
| 6 | 168.3 | 229 | 95 | 457 | 189 |
| 8 | 219.1 | 305 | 127 | 610 | 252 |
| 10 | 273 | 381 | 159 | 762 | 316 |
| 12 | 323.8 | 457 | 190 | 914 | 378 |
| 14 | 355.6 | 533 | 222 | 1067 | 441 |
| 16 | 406.4 | 610 | 254 | 1219 | 505 |
| 18 | 457 | 686 | 286 | 1372 | 568 |
| 20 | 508 | 762 | 318 | 1524 | 632 |
| 22 | 559 | 838 | 343 | 1676 | 694 |
| 24 | 610 | 914 | 381 | 1829 | 757 |
| 26 | 660 | 991 | 406 | 1981 | 821 |
| 28 | 711 | 1067 | 438 | 2134 | 883 |
| 30 | 762 | 1143 | 470 | 2286 | 964 |
| 32 | 813 | 1219 | 502 | 2438 | 1010 |
| 34 | 864 | 1295 | 533 | 2591 | 1073 |
| 36 | 914 | 1372 | 565 | 2743 | 1135 |
| 38 | 965 | 1448 | 600 | 2896 | 1200 |
| 40 | 1016 | 1524 | 632 | 3048 | 1264 |
| 42 | 1067 | 1600 | 660 | 3200 | 1326 |
| 44 | 1118 | 1676 | 695 | 3353 | 1389 |
| 46 | 1168 | 1753 | 727 | 3505 | 1453 |
| 48 | 1219 | 1829 | 759 | 3658 | 1516 |
90 Degree Elbow Dimensions Chart (in lbs)
| Inch. | ND | millimeter | Center to center | Radius | Center to end | Back to face |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | O | A | B | K | ||
| 1/2 | 15 | 21,34 | 76,20 | 38,10 | 15,87 | 47,62 |
| 3/4 | 20 | 26,67 | 57,15 | 28,57 | 11,11 | 42,86 |
| 1 | 25 | 33,40 | 76,20 | 38,10 | 22,22 | 55,56 |
| 1 1/4 | 32 | 42,16 | 95,25 | 47,60 | 25,40 | 69,85 |
| 1 1/2 | 40 | 48,26 | 114,30 | 57,15 | 28,57 | 82,55 |
| 2 | 50 | 60,32 | 152,40 | 76,20 | 34,92 | 106,40 |
| 2 1/2 | 65 | 73,02 | 190,50 | 95,25 | 44,45 | 131,80 |
| 3 | 80 | 88,90 | 228,60 | 114,30 | 50,80 | 158,75 |
| 3 1/2 | 90 | 101,60 | 266,70 | 133,35 | 57,15 | 184,15 |
| 4 | 100 | 114,30 | 304,80 | 152,40 | 63,50 | 209,55 |
| 5 | 125 | 141,30 | 381,00 | 190,50 | 79,38 | 261,90 |
| 6 | 150 | 168,27 | 457,20 | 228,60 | 95,25 | 312,70 |
| 8 | 200 | 219,07 | 609,60 | 304,80 | 127,00 | 414,30 |
| 10 | 250 | 273,05 | 762,00 | 381,00 | 158,75 | 517,50 |
| 12 | 300 | 323,85 | 914,40 | 457,20 | 190,50 | 619,10 |
| 14 | 350 | 355,60 | 1066,80 | 533,40 | 222,25 | 711,20 |
| 16 | 400 | 406,40 | 1219,20 | 609,60 | 254,00 | 812,80 |
| 18 | 450 | 457,20 | 1371,60 | 685,80 | 285,74 | 914,40 |
| 20 | 500 | 508,00 | 1524,00 | 762,00 | 317,50 | 1016,00 |
| 22 | 550 | 558,80 | 1676,40 | 838,20 | 342,90 | 1117,60 |
| 24 | 600 | 609,60 | 1828,80 | 914,40 | 381,00 | 1219,20 |
| 28 | 700 | 711,20 | 2133,60 | 1066,80 | 441,90 | 1422,40 |
180 Degree Elbow Dimensions Chart (in lbs)
| Normal Pipe Size | Outside Daimeter D | ASME 180 degree Long Rad | ASME 180 degree Short Rad | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center to Center O | Back to Face K | Center to Center O | Back to Face K | ||
| 1/2 | 21.3 | 76 | 48 | … | … |
| 3/4 | 26.7 | 76 | 51 | … | … |
| 1 | 33.4 | 76 | 56 | 51 | 41 |
| 1.1/4 | 42.2 | 95 | 70 | 64 | 52 |
| 1.1/2 | 48.3 | 114 | 83 | 76 | 62 |
| 2 | 60.3 | 152 | 106 | 102 | 81 |
| 2.1/2 | 73 | 190 | 132 | 127 | 100 |
| 3 | 88.9 | 229 | 159 | 152 | 121 |
| 3.1/2 | 101.6 | 267 | 184 | 178 | 140 |
| 4 | 114.3 | 305 | 210 | 203 | 159 |
| 5 | 141.3 | 381 | 262 | 254 | 197 |
| 6 | 168.3 | 457 | 313 | 305 | 237 |
| 8 | 219.1 | 610 | 414 | 406 | 313 |
| 10 | 273 | 762 | 518 | 508 | 391 |
| 12 | 323.8 | 914 | 619 | 610 | 467 |
| 14 | 355.6 | 1067 | 711 | 711 | 533 |
| 16 | 406.4 | 1219 | 813 | 813 | 610 |
| 18 | 457 | 1372 | 914 | 914 | 686 |
| 20 | 508 | 1524 | 1016 | 1016 | 762 |
| 22 | 559 | 1676 | 1118 | 1118 | 838 |
| 24 | 610 | 1829 | 1219 | 1219 | 914 |
| Normal Pipe Size | Outside Daimeter D | 180 degree Long Rad | 180 degree Short Rad | ||
| Center to Center O | Back to Face K | Center to Center O | Back to Face K | ||
Carbon Steel Elbow Weight Chart
45-degree Elbow Weight Chart (in lbs)
| Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) | Schedule 40 | Schedule 80 | Schedule 160 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2″ | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| 3/4″ | 0.8 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
| 1″ | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.2 |
| 1 1/4″ | 1.4 | 2.1 | 3.0 |
| 1 1/2″ | 1.8 | 2.7 | 3.7 |
| 2″ | 2.6 | 4.0 | 5.5 |
| 2 1/2″ | 4.1 | 6.2 | 8.4 |
| 3″ | 5.7 | 8.6 | 11.5 |
| 4″ | 8.6 | 12.7 | 17.0 |
| 5″ | 11.3 | 17.0 | 22.7 |
| 6″ | 14.5 | 21.8 | 29.5 |
| 8″ | 20.5 | 30.7 | 41.0 |
| 10″ | 28.0 | 42.0 | 56.0 |
| 12″ | 36.8 | 55.2 | 73.5 |
| 14″ | 48.3 | 72.4 | 96.5 |
| 16″ | 60.5 | 90.7 | 120.5 |
| 18″ | 74.4 | 111.6 | 148.0 |
| 20″ | 89.9 | 134.9 | 179.5 |
| 24″ | 114.0 | 171.0 | 228.0 |
| 30″ | 162.0 | 243.0 | 324.0 |
| 36″ | 212.0 | 318.0 | 424.0 |
| 42″ | 274.0 | 411.0 | 548.0 |
| 48″ | 352.0 | 528.0 | 704.0 |
90-degree Elbow Weight Chart (in lbs)
| Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) | Schedule 40 | Schedule 80 | Schedule 160 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2″ | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.4 |
| 3/4″ | 1.0 | 1.4 | 2.0 |
| 1″ | 1.3 | 1.9 | 2.6 |
| 1 1/4″ | 1.6 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| 1 1/2″ | 2.1 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| 2″ | 2.9 | 4.4 | 5.9 |
| 2 1/2″ | 4.5 | 6.8 | 9.1 |
| 3″ | 6.5 | 9.7 | 12.9 |
| 4″ | 9.7 | 14.6 | 19.5 |
| 5″ | 12.7 | 19.0 | 25.3 |
| 6″ | 16.5 | 24.8 | 33.0 |
| 8″ | 23.0 | 34.5 | 46.0 |
| 10″ | 31.5 | 47.3 | 63.7 |
| 12″ | 40.9 | 61.4 | 81.9 |
| 14″ | 53.1 | 79.7 | 106.0 |
| 16″ | 66.0 | 99.0 | 132.0 |
| 18″ | 80.7 | 121.0 | 160.0 |
| 20″ | 97.5 | 146.0 | 194.0 |
| 24″ | 123.5 | 185.0 | 246.0 |
| 30″ | 177.0 | 265.5 | 354.0 |
| 36″ | 234.0 | 351.0 | 468.0 |
| 42″ | 304.0 | 456.0 | 608.0 |
| 48″ | 388.0 | 582.0 | 776.0 |
180 Degree Elbow Weight Chart (in lbs)
| Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) | Schedule 40 | Schedule 80 | Schedule 160 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2″ | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
| 3/4″ | 1.4 | 2.0 | 2.8 |
| 1″ | 1.8 | 2.7 | 3.6 |
| 1 1/4″ | 2.3 | 3.4 | 4.5 |
| 1 1/2″ | 3.0 | 4.4 | 5.9 |
| 2″ | 4.3 | 6.4 | 8.5 |
| 2 1/2″ | 6.7 | 10.1 | 13.4 |
| 3″ | 9.4 | 14.1 | 18.7 |
| 4″ | 14.0 | 20.9 | 27.8 |
| 5″ | 18.5 | 27.5 | 36.7 |
| 6″ | 24.0 | 35.8 | 47.8 |
| 8″ | 33.0 | 49.5 | 66.0 |
| 10″ | 44.5 | 66.8 | 89.0 |
| 12″ | 56.0 | 84.0 | 112.0 |
| 14″ | 71.0 | 106.5 | 142.0 |
| 16″ | 88.0 | 132.0 | 176.0 |
| 18″ | 108.0 | 162.0 | 216.0 |
| 20″ | 128.0 | 192.0 | 256.0 |
| 24″ | 160.0 | 240.0 | 320.0 |
Materials and Grades
1. ASTM A234 WPB
- Widely used in moderate and high-temperature services.
2. ASTM A105
- Suitable for high-pressure systems.
3. ASTM A420 WPL6
- Ideal for low-temperature environments.
4. API 5L X52
- Commonly used in the oil and gas sector.
5. ASTM A106 Grade B
- Known for its exceptional strength and ductility.
Manufacturing Processes
1. Mandrel Method
- Process: A mandrel is inserted into the pipe, which is then bent to the desired angle.
- Advantages: Produces smooth interior surfaces and precise angles.
2. Hot Forming
- Process: The pipe is heated to high temperatures, allowing it to be reshaped.
- Advantages: Suitable for producing larger-diameter elbows.
3. Cold Forming
- Process: Uses mechanical force to bend the pipe without heating.
- Advantages: Maintains material integrity and saves energy.
4. Welding
- Process: Plates are cut, formed, and welded into the shape of an elbow.
- Advantages: Allows for custom shapes and sizes.
5. Extrusion
- Process: The pipe is pushed through a die to achieve the desired shape.
- Advantages: High precision and uniformity.
Application
- Oil and Gas Pipelines
- Water Treatment Plants
- Petrochemical
- Construction
- Pressure Vessels
- Phosphate Mining
